Acoustics in educational facilities, particularly background noise and reverberation, are important for an effective learning environment. Classrooms must be quiet so that teachers can be heard and students can communicate effectively. Poor acoustics in classrooms is a detriment to learning, behavior, and concentration. Educational facilities often contain other spaces such as offices, auditoria, and gymnasiums where sound isolation, speech privacy, and acoustical quality are also important factors for the building design.
Educational Facilities
Improving learning outcomes through acoustical quality
We provide the right acoustical environment for educators to be heard when they want to, with adequate privacy for when they don’t.
Our Services
Criteria Development
Room Shaping
Wall Treatment Selection
Space Planning and Layout
Structural Designs for Vibration Control
Noise and Vibration Control for Mechanical Systems
Problem Diagnosis
Measurements and Monitoring
Construction Observations
Featured Projects
In addition to our extensive experience with university laboratories and other research facilities, our education project experience includes K through 12 classrooms, higher education facilities, lecture halls, and residence halls. The following are a few examples of our past experience:
- All
- Laboratories
- Education
- Equipment Design
- High Tech Research and Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Environmental Noise
- Industrial
- Field Measurements
- Construction
- Specialty Spaces
- Transportation
- Building Acoustics
- Structural Dynamics
- Commercial
Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience
California Institute of Technology
The Chen Neuroscience Research Building is a Gold LEED certified facility that supports vibration and noise sensitive spaces including laboratory spaces and a large lecture hall. The building is three stories tall and includes two basement levels. We provided acoustical input regarding partitions for behavioral suites with stringent STC requirements as well as architectural acoustics support for offices, conference rooms and the lecture hall. Additionally, we provided support for vibration control via the structural and mechanical design for the vivarium and research labs. A site survey was conducted to confirm that the area was not problematic with regards to vibration and noise. Additionally, measurements were taken to verify that the construction of CNRB did not negatively affect nearby sensitive spaces on campus.
Stieff Building Materials Characterization & Processing Facility
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company / Johns Hopkins University
The Materials Characterization and Processing core facility is maintained by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The MCP serves the entire Johns Hopkins community, with focus on inorganic characterization and processing.
Our vibration surveys for both post-demolition, and post-construction of the lower level labs were consistent with results prior to the start of the project.
Campus-Wide Environmental Noise Model
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD
We worked with NIH to develop a comprehensive detailed computer environmental noise model of their entire campus in Bethesda, MD.
Student Success and Access Center
California State University - Long Beach
A renovation of the existing Peterson Hall 2, the center is dedicated to increasing services for CSULB’s tens of thousands of students. The facility serves as the new Bob Murphy Access Center, formerly known as Disabled Student Services. The Student Success Center also houses programs such as BUILD, which supports undergraduate research in the health sciences, and the Women’s Gender & Equity Center.
William Eckhardt Research Center
University of Chicago
This multifaceted research center is home to the Institute for Molecular Engineering, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, the Dean’s Office of Physical Sciences, and the Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility.
G.G. Brown Laboratories Addition
University of Michigan
This new facility houses The Center of Excellence in Nano Mechanical Science and Engineering, and includes a state-of-the-art Ultra-Low Vibration Facility. The unique and innovative vibration and noise control design for the ULV facility resulted in some of the lowest vibration amplitudes we've ever measured.
Central Energy Facility
Stanford University
Place a large new power plant on the Stanford University campus, next to the golf course, in proximity to Stanford Hospital, other campus buildings, and nearby residences – and remain a good neighbor.
Alkek Hospital Expansion – Construction Noise and Vibration Control
M.D. Anderson, Houston TX
Construction vibration and noise control for a 12-story expansion atop an operating 12-story hospital.
Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center includes a 10-story, 98-laboratory research tower, a seven-story, 108-bed inpatient treatment center, and a multi-disciplinary treatment center.
Biodesign C
Arizona State University
A five-story, 189,759 SF, LEED Platinum research facility located next to an active light rail track and a busy highway containing a mixture of laboratory types: high bay spaces, multi level generic laboratories, and a Compact X-Ray Light Source facility.
Parking Structure 6
City of Santa Monica
This award winning parking structure included a high-end retail space, which could not tolerate significant vibration from cars driving next door and overhead.
Selected Additional Projects
- All
- Field Measurements
- Transportation
- Laboratories
- Education
- Specialty Spaces
- Building Acoustics
- Structural Dynamics
- Environmental Noise
- Industrial
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Equipment Design
- High Tech Research and Manufacturing
- Commercial
William Eckhardt Research Center
University of Chicago
Campus-Wide Environmental Noise Model
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD
Student Success and Access Center
California State University - Long Beach
G.G. Brown Laboratories Addition
University of Michigan
Stieff Building Materials Characterization & Processing Facility
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company / Johns Hopkins University
Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience
California Institute of Technology
Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha